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How to Buy a Belt

A good belt is an accessory that many men and women take for granted. Using these belt-buying guidelines can help take the guesswork out of clothes shopping. Measuring for correct size, pick your style and buy a belt that will last for years.

Find several pairs of pants that you are likely to wear with the belt. Look at the inside tag to determine what the waist size is. For example, it may list 30 x 32 inches, in which case 30 inches is your waist size.

Measure your waist with a fabric measuring tape if your tag is missing or doesn’t list the waist size in inches. Wrap the tape around your mid-section, right where your belly button is. Read the measurement at the point where the tape meets to find out your waist size.

Use a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is completely horizontal when you measure it.

If you are a woman who likes to wear your jeans slightly lower, you may want to measure your waist several inches lower.

Measure your favorite jeans in the same way to get a good approximation of size.

Add two inches (5cm) to your waist measurement to get your belt size. The belt length is measured from the buckle to the center hole. This gives you plenty of wiggle room for different styles of dress.[1]

Choose a buckle with a tongue, unless you want a military style belt or a braided belt. A tongue buckle allows you to slip a piece of metal through a belt hole to secure it. A military-style belt is usually cloth with a sliding latch.

A military belt is usually bought in a generic size and then trimmed down to the appropriate length at home. Don’t forget to heat seal the ends with a lighter after you cut your belt to length.

A braided buckle does not need belt holes, since you can slip the tongue inside of the braided strips of leather.[3]

Try on the belt in several sizes if you aren’t sure the fit is perfect. You should secure the belt with the center hole. If it is in one of the last holes, you will not have room to adjust it after a big meal.

Community Q&A

It depends. If you are wearing long pants, you may. Do not tuck in with shorts. In a more casual setting, people won't care if your shirt is tucked, but in a more professional environment, it looks better tucked.

About This Article

To buy a belt, start by measuring your waist with fabric measuring tape to get your correct belt size. Wrap the tape around your midsection, where your belly button is, and use a mirror to make sure the measuring tape is completely horizontal. Next, read the measurement at the point where the tape meets, and then, add two inches to your waist size to get your belt size. For example, if your waist is 30 inches, your belt size is 32 inches. For more tips, including how to pick a belt that matches your style, keep reading!